I think Interval International is ripping us off!?!?

[disneymom1]

I have been a member of Interval for many years and have often paid for the additional platinum membership. I have been mostly satisfied, even though many, many increases and extra fees have been implemented over the past few years.

My platinum membership expired almost 4 months ago. I renewed it today, expecting an expiration date 2 years from today (Jan 2021). Instead of getting the full 2 years of membership I paid for, my membership is set to expire October 2020, thus I was charged for THE PAST 4 MONTHS I DID NOT USE! So basically, 1/3 of the year is gone the day I paid for the membership!?!? I called customer service and also spoke to a supervisor and was informed that ANY platinum membership that expired less than 4 months ago is considered a renewal and backdates to the original expiration date. I have NEVER seen this in ANY customer service industry! I can understand maybe back dating a renewal that expired in less than 30 days but NEVER nearly 4 months! The customer service rep confirmed for the past almost 4 months I was unable to take advantage of ANY of the platinum benefits, so I am at a total loss why I am being retroactively charged for a service I was unable to use. This is an extra, optional membership! This seems like a pure cash grab rip off! Anyone heard of this before???

 

[Sugarcubesea]

That really sucks and I do appreciate you letting all of us know. I was able to get a plantinum membership after not having it expire the previous year.

I’m going to remember this new 4 month rule going forward

 

[samara64]

It did happen to me once with the regular membership but was able to update it so it starts the day I paid. Back then I did not use II that much so I was willing to cancel the whole membership as I did not have any deposits.

 

[disneymom1]

I am probably going to cancel it. I have no exchanges currently. I am really annoyed this is how they treat people who wish to pay extra for a platinum membership! Dishonest business practice in my opinion.

 

[Panina]

I have been a member of Interval for many years and have often paid for the additional platinum membership. I have been mostly satisfied, even though many, many increases and extra fees have been implemented over the past few years.

My platinum membership expired almost 4 months ago. I renewed it today, expecting an expiration date 2 years from today (Jan 2021). Instead of getting the full 2 years of membership I paid for, my membership is set to expire October 2020, thus I was charged for THE PAST 4 MONTHS I DID NOT USE! So basically, 1/3 of the year is gone the day I paid for the membership!?!? I called customer service and also spoke to a supervisor and was informed that ANY platinum membership that expired less than 4 months ago is considered a renewal and backdates to the original expiration date. I have NEVER seen this in ANY customer service industry! I can understand maybe back dating a renewal that expired in less than 30 days but NEVER nearly 4 months! The customer service rep confirmed for the past almost 4 months I was unable to take advantage of ANY of the platinum benefits, so I am at a total loss why I am being retroactively charged for a service I was unable to use. This is an extra, optional membership! This seems like a pure cash grab rip off! Anyone heard of this before???

I would contact the tug liaison emailing Mark DelCampo at tugmembers@intervalintl.com , he might be able to help especially if the 4 month time is not disclosed. Things only change if we complain, at least sometimes.

 

[DannyTS]

this is ridiculous especially since they (i assume from your post) did not inform you at the time of payment.
Did you get a 2 for one offer in the mail and you acted on that? Were any fine prints of that nature? I am trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[montygz]

I have been a member of Interval for many years and have often paid for the additional platinum membership. I have been mostly satisfied, even though many, many increases and extra fees have been implemented over the past few years.

My platinum membership expired almost 4 months ago. I renewed it today, expecting an expiration date 2 years from today (Jan 2021). Instead of getting the full 2 years of membership I paid for, my membership is set to expire October 2020, thus I was charged for THE PAST 4 MONTHS I DID NOT USE! So basically, 1/3 of the year is gone the day I paid for the membership!?!? I called customer service and also spoke to a supervisor and was informed that ANY platinum membership that expired less than 4 months ago is considered a renewal and backdates to the original expiration date. I have NEVER seen this in ANY customer service industry! I can understand maybe back dating a renewal that expired in less than 30 days but NEVER nearly 4 months! The customer service rep confirmed for the past almost 4 months I was unable to take advantage of ANY of the platinum benefits, so I am at a total loss why I am being retroactively charged for a service I was unable to use. This is an extra, optional membership! This seems like a pure cash grab rip off! Anyone heard of this before???

Is the renewal price cheaper than nonrenewal price? Or is there some additional fee to gain platinum membership you avoid by renewing?

If that isn't the case, I would cancel until the "buffer" time is over with.

 

[tschwa2]

For what its worth this isn't new. Here is a discussion about the same thing from 2015. https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/word-of-caution-on-renewing-ii-platinum.231649/

 

[Marathoner]

Just cancel your membership and don't look back. Let your money do the talking

 

[pedro47]

Panina, thanks for Mark email address .

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I don't get it. Why not 30 days, 60 days, 3 months? 4 months seems arbitrary and I wouldn't be surprised that if you had renewed at 5 months they would have cited a 6 month rule.

 

[tschwa2]

I don't get it. Why not 30 days, 60 days, 3 months? 4 months seems arbitrary and I wouldn't be surprised that if you had renewed at 5 months they would have cited a 6 month rule.

As soon as you get past 120 days, it stops showing as a "renewal" option. Also when II offers 2 for 1 platinum upgrades they also use the 120 day to determine if you are eligible for the 10% off a renewal or 2 for 1 upgrade. It is arbitrary but it hasn't changed in the last 4 years.

 

[samara64]

For all honesty, I have been dealing with Interval in the past few years when I started using them for exchanges and I do not find them that greedy. I really do enjoy working with them.

I remember when they wanted to charge me for past months and I was about to cancel the membership, I asked the representative which country is this company out of as I never experienced this level of customer service in the US and maybe that was my 2nd call to the company after I signed up so I may had a bad representative but they ended up correcting the issue.

Frankly, I fully understand the rule sucks and they should look at it. I never heard of any similar rule in any other business.

So 3 month after Plat membership expired you needed to pay for a unit size upgrade charge, would they have charged you $59 as your plat membership JUST lapsed 3 month ago or the full $99. So it really does not make sense.

 

[scootr5]

I seem to remember Costco getting in hot water about a similar practice a few years ago, and giving affected members an extension of months.

Edited - here’s an article about it https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/07/costco-s-renewal-rip-off/index.htm